Mass protest in Barcelona against possible amnesty for Catalan separatists

Thousands have taken to the streets to join conservative and far-right Spanish political leaders to protest against the Socialist Party’s decision to consider an amnesty for those involved in the failed, unlawful and unilateral push for Catalan independence six years ago.

Sunday’s demonstration in Barcelona, organised by the anti-independence group Societat Civil Catalana, was called after Catalan separatist parties said they would only consider supporting a new, socialist-led government following July’s inconclusive general election if they were offered an amnesty in return.

Although the conservative People’s Party (PP) finished first in the election, it fell short of a parliamentary majority and failed to secure MPs’ backing to form a government during an investiture vote at the end of September.